HICKORY, NC - The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball team is on a roll, having now won four in a row en route to their best start since the 2018-19 season. Scoring at least 80 points for the seventh consecutive game, the Bears took down UVA Wise 89-72 from Shuford Arena on Saturday night.
This game was all about balance for the Bears, as all five starters finished in double figures.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 89, UVA Wise 72
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne 6-2 (4-1 SAC), UVA Wise 3-4 (1-3 SAC)
Location: Hickory, NC | Shuford Arena
STORY OF THE GAME:
- The Bears never trailed in this one, as the only tie came at 9-9 with 15:49 remaining in the first half.
- Up 18-17 midway through the half, Lenoir-Rhyne used a Sam Martin dunk to spark a quick 6-0 run.
- UVA Wise kept things close, but a couple buckets from Conrad Luczynski and a late layup from Julian Dozier gave LR a 37-30 lead at the break.
- Dozier opened the second half with a three to give the Bears a 10-point advantage.
- A fast break dunk from Tay Smith just four minutes into the half gave the Bears their largest lead of the game at 17 points.
- The Cavaliers cut it to single digits just once in the second half, but that was answered by a Ziare Wells three to put LR back up 61-49.
- The Bears cruised to the finish in this one, winning by 17.
STATS OF THE MATCH:
- Tay Smith led the way with an 18-point, 10-rebound double double.
- Sam Martin nearly matched Smith, finishing with 12 points and eight boards.
- Nine bears notched an assist on the night.
- Lenoir-Rhyne shot 33-78 (42.3%) from the field and 8-19 (42.1%) from three.
- The Bears dominated the boards, out-rebounding UVA Wise 53-29.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Lenoir-Rhyne's 23 offensive rebounds are a season high and the most for a Bears squad in over 10 years.
- LR's 53 total rebounds are a program best since December 2, 2015 against Lincoln Memorial (54).
- The Bears hold a 7-2 series lead over the Cavaliers.
- Lenoir-Rhyne is currently tied for third with Carson-Newman in the conference standings.
UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will hit the road next Wednesday when they travel to Salisbury to take on Catawba. The Indians are coming off a 84-74 loss vs. #18 Lincoln Memorial and currently have a record of 4-3 (2-2 SAC). Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
